• Palmer Park Prep Green Schoolyard Initiative

    What is a Green Schoolyard?

    We envision green schoolyards as nature-filled outdoor spaces that offer students, teachers, parents and community members places to play, learn, explore and grow. Designed with and for the school community, these shared outdoor spaces can also be enjoyed by kids, families and neighbors during out-of-school time.

    -Children & Nature Network

    https://www.childrenandnature.org/schools/greening-schoolyards/


    The outdoor improvements at Palmer Park Prep started with grassroots volunteer efforts - dedicated families, teachers, neighbors, and nonprofit partners working together. Much of our early volunteer efforts involved cleaning up the smaller outdoor spaces on our campus- an  unused courtyard was transformed into a colorful art-filled outdoor classroom; monthly outdoor trash and litter cleanups were organized; mini grants were obtained for outdoor picnic benches and stump seating, giving teachers more space for outdoor learning. We worked with DPSCD Office of Operations to generally improve the outdoor amenities- adding bike racks, benches and more accessible trash receptacles. We partnered with Greening of Detroit to plant over two dozen trees on our campus and the surrounding University District neighborhood.


    In 2022, we received a Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., Legacy Design and Access Grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. With some of those funds, a community-centered large-scale plan to transform 14,000 square feet of previously neglected public school grounds into a safe, thriving green schoolyard and inclusive public space was designed.


    The new Palmer Park Prep Green Schoolyard will encourage nature-based learning, creativity, and foster social connections. The design includes student-created public art, a rain garden, native plantings, shade trees, grassy mounds, several Montessori-inspired outdoor classroom and gathering spaces, a stage for performances and programming, and a large flex space with winding paths, creating a dynamic and joyful outdoor environment for all to enjoy.  This transformative outdoor environment will invite play, exploration, social connections and hands-on learning rooted in nature and care.


    In June 2025, Phase One of this plan was completed, fully funded by the Wilson Legacy Design and Access Funds that we received.  A formerly unusable, rubble-strewn, weedy area near the playground, complete with rusty rolled-up fencing was turned into a warm and welcoming gathering space and outdoor classroom area. The first trees have been planted in the thriving Green Schoolyard we are on our way to creating.

    Get Involved!

    Help us pave the way to make our plan a reality, as we enter Phase Two! To learn more about how to contribute your time, resources or contribute to our fundraising goal, please email us!


    “Nature is the best playground. It is the source of all learning, the foundation of all growth. Let us allow children the freedom to explore, discover, and connect with the world around them, for in nature, they will find the keys to unlock their full potential.”

     – Maria Montessori.